BROCKTON – Three weeks after Elson G. Miranda was shot to death, his alleged killer stood in Brockton District Court as a prosecutor described him walking into The Lit, raising his arm and shooting Miranda twice with a black revolver.

The April 11 crime, part of a wave of spring violence that prompted calls for heightened police activity, was captured on video.

“That murder was solved by the video surveillance system,” Mayor Bill Carpenter said. “I’ve seen it. The murder is on tape.”

To help combat violence in the city, Carpenter is working on three video surveillance initiatives that he says will act to deter lawlessness and aid police in solving crimes.

On Wednesday, the License Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on one proposal, a requirement that establishments serving alcohol after midnight install a video surveillance system covering the inside and outside of their buildings.

Among the potential requirements are that the system operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and that recordings be maintained for at least 60 days.

The 28 businesses that currently qualify would have 60 days from approval of the regulation to install a system. Failure would mean that business would have to close at midnight.

Carpenter and Police Chief Robert Hayden are also asking various types of businesses on main streets and at major intersections to install security cameras voluntarily.

A third initiative corresponds with the annual renewal in June of special permits for Brockton businesses open anytime between 1 a.m. and 5 a.m.

An ordinance previously approved by the City Council gives the mayor authority to grant such permits at his discretion, Carpenter said.

There are approximately 25 such establishments in the city that do not fall under the alcohol license policy, including convenience stores, gas stations, fast food restaurants and pharmacies. They pay $300 annually for the special permit.

Carpenter said they should receive letters by the end of this week detailing a new requirement that they install by Aug. 30 video surveillance systems similar to those proposed for late-night bars.

“We want to make sure everyone knows that when you’re in Brockton late at night, wherever you go, you’re under video surveillance,” Carpenter said. “I believe this makes the city safer with no cost to city taxpayers.”

There is a cost for the systems, however, and it is important that it does not fall on those who are not doing anything wrong, Ward 6 City Council Michelle DuBois said.

DuBois, who represents the neighborhood containing the now-closed Lit bar, said she supports the idea to require late-night bars and restaurants to install cameras, but that the License Commission should only mandate it for establishments found in violation of alcohol regulations and, perhaps, for new businesses.

Page 2 of 2 - “I don’t believe in punishing everybody for the bad apples in the bunch,” DuBois said.

The cost to install video surveillance can be significant.

Brad White is the owner of Phoenix Security, based in Wilmington, which has a heavy sales concentration in Brockton and Taunton. White said that based on the proposed requirements, a smaller establishment such as a convenience store could spend $6,000 or $7,000 installing video surveillance.

Larger-sized businesses, especially those with significant parking areas, could spend much more, he said. To keep owners from going down to a big box store and buying a $400 set of cameras that will break down in a few months, White said strict oversight will be necessary.

Chief Hayden said an officer will be designated to follow through with businesses to make sure they are in full compliance.

Samuel Matuawana said he spent $2,000 on an interior-only video surveillance system 10 years ago when he owned a 7-Eleven franchise on Pleasant Street.

Today he runs the 7-Eleven on Belmont Street near Brockton High School. His system there, with cameras inside and out, cost an estimated $5,000, plus a $20 per month maintenance fee, all covered by 7-Eleven’s corporate office.